The 2025 NFL Draft saw nine defensive linemen selected in Round 1. This year’s rookie class features many promising talents on the interior and at edge, including former Texas A&M defender Shemar Stewart.
Thanks to an incredible performance at the NFL combine, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Stewart in the first round at No. 17 overall.
Nearly three months later, Stewart remains the only unsigned pick from the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Stewart’s representation and the Bengals front office have yet to agree on a rookie contract due to a dispute in language regarding guarantees.
Cincinnati started training camp for their rookies on July 18 and Stewart was not in attendance as the negotiations continue.
Stewart was a key part of a talented defensive line at Texas A&M last season and still has one year of NCAA eligibility left after three years with the team.
These negotiations could drag on through training camp and that leaves some wondering if Stewart could return to College Station for 2025.
Here’s what to know about Stewart’s future options as training camp gets going for veterans in Cincinnati this week.
Can Shemar Stewart go back to college?
As his contract negotiations continue, Stewart’s been back at Texas A&M to work out with his former teammates but he cannot return to the school this fall.
Because Stewart has been drafted by an NFL team, current NCAA rules prevent him from returning to Texas A&M in 2025. Stewart and his representation could take this to court to change those bylaws.
It’s not fully clear but Cincinnati would very likely still hold Stewart’s rights as the No. 17 overall pick from the 2025 NFL Draft.
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said July 17 that the team has no intention of having him play for them this season.
‘Shemar has been around,’ Elko told ESPN. ‘He’s very comfortable in our program. Really likes what we do training wise. He’s been training, getting ready for his season this year with the Bengals. We wish him the best.’
Shemar Stewart contract update
Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin and owner Mike Brown both provided updates on negotiations with their top pick.
‘I don’t blame Shemar,’ Tobin said. ‘He’s listening to the advice he’s paying for. I don’t understand the advice… We’re treating him fairly.’
The Bengals are trying to change the language of the contract to potentially void future guarantees. Stewart’s representation wants the same contract previous Bengals first-round picks signed.
Brown got more into specifics when asked about the negotiations.
‘I hesitate to get into the details but basically it turns on whether out years are guaranteed if he gets involved in conduct detrimental to football,’ Brown told reporters. ‘Detrimental to football in recent years has been violence to women, that’s the one that comes to mind.
If we get a player who gets involved in something like that or does something that is just unacceptable, guess what? I don’t want to pay him. I really don’t. If he’s sitting in jail, I don’t think I ought to be paying him.’